Retainer and lock for swimming pool covers



July 9, 1968 J. R. MELBERG 3,391,410

RETAINER AND LOCK FOR SWIMMING POOL COVERS Filed May 23, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet l F/ci.

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c L A EA/TOR JAMES R. MEL BERG ,5 ,0 Z

J y 1968 J. R. MELBERG. 3,

RETAINER AND LOCK FOR SWIMMING POOL COVERS Filed May 23, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet 2 //Vl EN7'0/? Jan 155A. M54 55%;

United States Patent 3,391,410 RETAINER AND LOCK FOR SWIMMING POOLCOVERS James R. Melberg, New Richmond, Wis., assignor to DoughboyIndustries, Inc., New Richmond, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin FiledMay 23, 1966, Ser. No. 552,259

. 5 Claims. (Cl. 4-172) This invenion relates to swimming pools of thetype having an upper reinforced edge of endless curve configuration, andhas particular relation to a retaining and locking mechanism for aflexible tensioned cover for such pools to exclude dirt and debris.

Pools of the type for which my invention is particularly adapted aremounted on the ground for outdoor use and have a reinforcing, thin sheetmetal wall upstanding from the ground, which may in various pools bearranged in several configurations such as circular, oval, figure 8shape or kidney shape and rectangular. The pool proper, or liner, isusually constructed of a flexible plastic material such as vinyl and maybe secured at its peripheral and upper edge by coping or the like to thesaid reinforcing Wall and its circumferentially spaced legs or uprights.

An important object of my invention is to provide in connection withpools of this described type, as well as other swimming pools having anupstanding peripheral edge, a cover preferably foldable and flexible, ofa shape to completely cover the top configuration of the pool and toprovide with such a cover and pool, means for readily attaching anddetaching said cover, and preferably tensioning the same withcooperating locking means to prevent removal of the cover from the poolin heavy winds or through theft.

A further and more specific object is the provision of pool-coverretaining and locking means which may be readily operated and applied toeffectively tighten a flexible element around the upper edge of the poolwith simple interconnecting means between spaced portions of thecircumferential edge of the cover, and the supporting means for thepool, through a winch or lever action, and which mechanism includes apositive lock for preventing loosening or removal of said tensionedflexible element without application or use of a speciaf key member andhandle.

The preferred forms of my improved mechanism or device include a mediumemploying a plurality of simplified elements for imparting uniformlythroughout the circumference of the pool cover, a downward and outwardtensioning force to provide for a horizontal effective position of thepool cover without sumps or low spots therein.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention will be more apparentfrom the following description made in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmental perspective view of a typical outdoor swimmingpool of the general construction previously referred to, having aprotective cover operatively applied thereto and tensioned thereon, andlocked in tensioned position through employment of my improvedmechanism;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view on a some what larger scale,showing the general structure of the pool, its wall and supports, andthe pool proper or liner, with a cover tensioned and operativelypositioned thereon and locked in place through my improved construction;

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view showing one suitable constructionfor detachably connecting a flexible encircling member with one of thecircumferentially spaced supporting legs for the reinforcing wall of thepool;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentaryplan view showing a portion of the marginal edgeof the cover with its retaining loops for receiving the tensionableencircling element and the hook-type attachments for interlocking theflexible element with the reinforcing construction of the pool atcircumferentially spaced points around the pool;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view looking towards the right hand edge of thecombination tensioning and locking device constituting a part of mynovel combination, with some portions broken away and with one end ofthe encircling flexible element being initially inserted there- 1n;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken transversely through the housing ofthe combined lock and tensioning device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a satisfactory type of retainer orhook to interconnect with freedom for tensioning and sliding movement ofthe flexible member, such member with one of the legs or reinforcingportions of the swimming pool; and

FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view showing a combined key and crankhandle for actuating and also releasing the tensioning element or winchof the device.

While my improved cover-retaining and locking mechanism is readilyapplicable to swimming pools varying widely in structure which do haveupwardly extending peripheral edges, in the accompanying drawings, it isapplied to an outdoor swimming pool of the type manufactured and sold byDoughboy Industries, Inc., (my assignee) which as shown in FIG. 2,employs a corrugated steel standing circumferential wall W, fitting intoand connected with sectional rail channels R at the bottom thereof, andwith sectional rail channels T at the top thereof. In the particular andexemplary pool structure illustrated lower and upper rail channels ofsectional lengths, are interconnected by connectors C (at both top andbottom) which also are rigidly interconnected with upstandingreinforcing legs L.

The top and bottom rail sections R and T, the connectors and legs may bemade of metal channel construction or could be made of other buildingmaterials including composition, plastic, wood or the like.

The swimming pool proper or liner S, as shown, is made from a readilyfoldable, soft, water-impervious material such as vinyl plastic, whichremains pliable at extreme temperatures and which contains a stabilizerto prevent shrinkage or substantial stretching.

The cover for the pool, indicated as an entirety by the letter X, may bemade of any suitable, durable and pliable flexible material, preferablyhaving little stretchability and either in netting form, or preferablyof a rather tightly woven monofilament mesh. Textiles may be used butwoven monofilament plastic is preferred so that it will not absorbrainfall. It may be made up of heat-sealed secction or integral wovenfabric and is of the top plan configuration of the pool.

As shown, see bottom plan fragmentary view FIG. 4, the circumferentialmarginal edge of the cover X is provided with a multiplicity of radialloops 11 which may be of flexible plastic or woven textile construction,constituting hem sections through which an elongated flexible encirclingelement 12 is threaded for use. The encircling element 12 may constitutea small rope (preferably plastic) or a multi-strand nylon rope, or evena very light cable of small diameter.

Media are preferably provided at circumferentially spaced points forinterconnecting exposed portions of the flexible element 12 with rigidparts of the circumferential outer reinforcing wall of the pool, spaceda short distance below the upper peripheral edge of the pool fortensioning purposes. While various attachment media may be employed, asimple construction which is preferred, as illustrated in FIG. 3 andFIG. 4, comprises a series of double hooks l3 bent in general U-shapeformation to provide a pair of spaced slide loops 13a,'said loops beinginterconnected by the rod 13b constituting the bottom of the U andhaving inwardly converging hooks 13c which ter minate as shown in FIG.3, in outwardly and oppositely extending hook extremities. Hooks 13 arepreferably made of a metal having spring characteristics, so that thetwo books 13c may be pressed together for insertion of the hookextremities into the vertical slot 14a of an anchoring member 14, one ofwhich is secured to a predetermined leg or position on thecircumferential pool-supporting structure. Anchoring members 14 areshown in the form of metal brackets, each having a spaced pair ofattachment legs 14b which may be secured to drilled holes in one of thepool legs L, preferably some distance from the top thereof and from thetop rails T. Hooks 14 may be inserted, as shown in the dotted lines inFIG. 3, disposed vertically, whereafter the hook is turned through 90 todispose the loops in horizontally aligned relationship shown in fulllines of FIG. 3.

The flexible encircling element 12 is of course of adequate length tosomewhat more than surround and encircle the entire upper perimeter ofthe pool, by for example, five or siX feet. One end of this flexibleelement 12 is preferably first connected with the housing or framestructure of a combined tensioning and locking device indicated as anentirety by the letter Z, the housing thereof as shown, being ofrectangular shell construction with an outer cover plate 15 interfittedtherewith and permanently connected at flanges 15a by welding or othersuitable uniting means.

The combined tensioning and locking device in use can be rigidlyattached to one of the upstanding legs L, but may be well employed as aseparate mechanism independently of the legs or other pool-supportingstructure, held in its ultimate position by the tensioning of the cableor endless element 12.

As shown in FIG. 5 and other views, the device Z at its upper right handcorner, has a relatively large aperture 16 for receiving by downwardthreading, one end of the cable 12 which is preferably projected throughthe right hand vertical wall near the top of the housing, to a smalleraperture 17 of very slightly larger diameter than flexible element 12.The entire length of the endless tensioning element 12 may be passedthrough the smaller aperture and circumferentially disposed about thetop of the pool and the rear end thereof is knotted or otherwiseenlarged to pass through the larger top opening 16 and to be of suchsize that the enlargement may not pass through the smaller sideaperture, thereby firmly securing the tensioning member to the housingZ.

With the flexible element 12 loosely surrounding the upper flange of thepool, the unfastened or first mentioned end of cable 12 is passedthrough the opening 18 on the left hand vertical edge of the housing Zand is projected snugly beneath a horizontal retaining pin D-2 (see FIG.6) of a Winding drum D which also carries a multiplicity of radial teethD-l. Winding drum D has forward and rearwardly projecting trunnions 19and 20 which are suitably journaled in bearings provided respectively bya bracket 20:: secured to the outer cover plate 15 and the rectangularinner wall of the shell Z. Forward trunnion 19 is recessed at 19a in apredetermined manner, shown as hexagonal to receive the specially shapedkey or crank shaft 21a of a winding handle 21. Key shaft 21a is ofsufficient length to permit, by inward pressure, extension of itsextremity past normal operating position, as will be hereafter morefully explained.

As a part of the tensioning and locking mechanism Z, the releasablemeans are provided for retaining and locking the winding drum in itsnumerous 360- winding operation and to nevertheless, with power from thecrank handle, enable the winding drum or winch to be progressivelyturned. Means illustrated comprises a resilient locking finger 22 whichextends vertically at the rear side of the locking drum D, and as shown,has an angular attachment foot 22a secured to the bottom horizontal sideof the housing of the device Z. At the upper end of finger 22, aninturned pawl or tooth 22b is provided, dimensioned to loosely fitbetween the teeth D-l of the drum, but with substantial torque powerapplied by the crank handle, to permit progressive slipping over of thepawl by the teeth D1. The central portion of the upstanding finger 22 isaligned with the recess made in the trunnion and extending entirelythrough the winding drum D so that when the crank handle 21 is appliedwith the crank shaft or key 21a, and a force is pressed inwardly,axially of the drum, the finger is forced rearwardly to a position whereits pawl 22b is entirely released from the teeth of the drum. Thus whenit is desired to release the tensioned cable or endless member 12, afterthe device is fully tensioned, inward force may be put upon the keyshaft and the drum released in counter-clockwise direction by the crankhandle.

The shape-area of the cover (unfolded) is such before tensioning as tocover the top of the pool.

The cable or endless element 12, strung through the said loops or hemelements 11 and with the knotted or enlarged end thereof secured to thehousing of the combined tensioning and locking device Z thus surroundsthe upper peripheral edge of the pool in loose fashion. After thisarrangement is effected the series of double hooks 13 are connected withthe uncovered portions of the flexible element 12 and are progressivelysecured to the anchoring members 14 afiixed to the respective legs orother rigid portions of the upstanding reinforcement wall for the pool.Thereafter the free end of the flexible encircling element 12 isthreaded through the aperture 18 on the left corner of the housing Zwhere the cable will be engaged by the respective teeth or pins D-l ofthe winding drum. Thereafter the crank handle 21 is operatively appliedby insertion of the specially cross sectioned shape of the shaft 21awith the socket 19a of the mechanism Z. Turning of the crank handle 21in clockwise direction, progressively winds the flexible element 12 uponthe drum or reel D, the circumferential teeth being progressivelyretained by the pawl 22b of the resilient locking finger.

During the tensioning action of element 12, the cover is quite uniformlytensioned radially outwardly thereof due to the fact that thecircumferentially spaced hooks 13 are anchored in the anchoring members14, at a distance several inches below the upper peripheral edge of thepool. Thus when tensioned, the cover will actually slightly overlap theupper peripheral edge of the pool as shown in the bottom plan view, FIG.4.

When the cover is thus operatively attached and tensioned by thecombinative functions of the tightening mechanism and cable element 12,the crank handle with driving shaft is detached from the device and thecover is locked against displacement by high winds or theft.

When it is desired to remove the cover, crank handle 21 is repositionedin socket 19a and the operator with one hand applies an inward force onthe key shaft 21a thus releasing the locking pawl 22b from its lockedengagement with the teeth D-l of the drum. Cable element 12 may then beslacked off by slight unwinding of the reel to anextent where it veryloosely surrounds the upper peripheral edge of the pool. To remove thecover the hooks 13 are progressively detached from their respectiveanchoring brackets 14 and the cover, with flexible member and lock stillapplied thereto, may be slipped over the top of the pool and properlyfolded for storage in compact form.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a highly eificient, economicaland readily applied combination attachment and locking device has beenprovided for swimming pool covers which is adapted for wide and varioususes on swimming pools of a variety of shapes and sizes.

My attachment and device may be readily applied to conventional poolcovers and outdoor swimming pools and the like Without skilled help andwithout the use of additional tools other than the actual elementssupplied by the swimming pool cover and the cooperating elements of mystructure.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in theform, details and arrangement of parts as well as equivalencies of thespecific form disclosed herein, all without departing from my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment device and lock for swimming pool covers having incombination with the upstanding peripheral edge of a swimming pool,

means adjacent the peripheral edge of a swimming pool cover forreceiving an elongated, flexible retaining element, said element in useencircling said upstanding edge of the pool,

a combination take-up and locking mechanism for said flexible elementcomprising an element-receiving housing,

a progressively movable tensioning member in said housing with which oneend of said element is connected, the other end of said element beingaflixed in a predetermined position somewhat below the upper peripheraledge of the pool,

a power arm for driving said progressively movable member,

a locking latch within said housing for locking engagement with saidmember to retain the same against release, and

means removable from said locking mechanism for disengagement of saidlocking latch.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein the said tensioning memberis in the form of a winding drum rotatively mounted within said housingand wherein said power arm constitutes a crank having a shaft sectiondetachably connectible axially with said drum.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, and a plurality of detachablehook elements for surrounding exposed portions of said flexibleretaining element and a corresponding number of hook-anchoring elementsafiixed to circumferentially spaced portions of the pool supportingstructure and disposed below the upper peripheral edge of the same fordetachable connection with said hook elements whereby tensioning of saidflexible element also causes outward radial and downward pull of themarginal edge of said p001 cover.

4. A securing device and lock for swimming pool covers having incombination means adjacent the peripheral edge of a pool cover forreceiving an elongated flexible retaining element of a length tosurround the upstanding edge of a pool,

rigid media around the peripheral edge of the pool for receiving andconnection with said flexible element,

a combination take-up and locking mechanism for said flexible elementcomprising a housing mounted upon a rigid portion of the periphery ofsaid pool structure,

a winch element mounted in said housing and having an axial drive-engageelement for connection with a crank handle through an aperture in saidhousing,

said winch including a rotary reel mounted within said housing havingmeans thereon for attachment of one end of said flexible element,

a ratchet lock plate within said housing for permitting winding of saidreel in one direction and locking of said reel against unwinding,

a clutch device urging said reel into driving engagement with said crankengaging element, and

a specially shaped key-receiving aperture disposed in opposed relationto a clutch releasing element.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said rigid media forconnection with said flexible element comprises a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced attachment brackets aflixed to the periphery ofthe pool-supporting medium at a distance below the upper periphery ofthe pool, and

a similar number of connector elements surrounding exposed portions ofsaid flexible elements and having detachable connection at their outerends with said attachment brackets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,543,300 2/1951 Ptak 292-256653,092,285 6/1963 Cox 292256.65 3,127,051 3/1964 Cox 292-256.65 3,148,3839/1964 Bartolucci et a1. 4-172 3,293,665 12/1966 Langer 4172 LAVERNE D.GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN ATTACHMENT DEVICE AND LOCK FOR SWIMMING POOL COVERS HAVING INCOMBINATION WITH THE UPSTANDING PERIPHERAL EDGE OF A SWIMMING POOL,MEANS ADJACENT THE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF A SWIMMING POOL COVER FORRECEIVING AN ELONGATED, FLEXIBLE RETAINING ELEMENT, SAID ELEMENT IN USEENCIRCLING SAID UPSTANDING EDGE OF THE POOL, A COMBINATION TAKE-UP ANDLOCKING MECHANISM FOR SAID FLEXIBLE ELEMENT COMPRISING ANELEMENT-RECEIVING HOUSING, A PROGRESSIVELY MOVABLE TENSIONING MEMBER INSAID HOUSING WITH WHICH ONE END OF SAID ELEMENT IS CONNECTED, THE OTHEREND OF SAID ELEMENT BEING AFFIXED IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION SOMEWHATBELOW THE UPPER PERIPHERAL EDGE OF THE POOL, A POWER ARM FOR DRIVINGSAID PROGRESSIVELY MOVABLE MEMBER, A LOCKING LATCH WITHIN SAID HOUSINGFOR LOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID MEMBER TO RETAIN THE SAME AGAINSTRELEASE, AND MEANS REMOVABLE FROM SAID LOCKING MECHANISM FORDISENGAGEMENT OF SAID LOCKING LATCH.